Entertainment/Opinion/Music

By Summer Lane

Photo: Deposit

Beyonce is one of the world’s most well-known celebrities, having risen to stardom through the group Destiny’s Child. She later broke out as a standalone star known for hits like “All the Single Ladies,” “Halo,” and “Love On Top.”

Beyoncé has consistently been the kind of celebrity who utilizes in-your-face sexuality to sell her music, and she and her husband, Jay-Z, haven’t been shy about vocalizing their political stances (who can forget their relationship with the Obamas?).

In 2016, she even gave a politically charged Super Bowl Half Time Show that criticized America’s law enforcement.

On a personal level, I’ve never understood the Beyoncé fandom. I can count on one hand the number of songs that she has released that are remotely palatable (in my opinion), and her bad attitude, politically fueled music videos, and support of radical groups like Black Lives Matter have always been a personal turn-off to me. While I can put aside political differences with an artist if their work is jaw-droppingly excellent, I have never felt that Beyoncé’s catalog of musical work has been all that impressive. Again, that’s my opinion, and you are free to disagree!

She’s got a beautiful voice – I won’t argue with that. But her platform consistently elevates sex, racial division, and even dangerous Eastern mysticism. You can read more about that HERE.

Her newest single, “Texas Hold Em’,” just might be the catchiest song she’s released in years (again, I’m a Beyoncé skeptic), but the lyrics are very problematic for kids.

Here’s a little taste:

This ain’t Texas (woo), ain’t no hold ’em (hey)
So lay your cards down, down, down, down
So park your Lexus (woo) and throw your keys up (hey)
Stick around, ’round, ’round, ’round, ’round (stick around)
And I’ll be damned if I can’t slow dance with you
Come pour some sugar on me, honey too
It’s a real life boogie and a real life hoedown
Don’t be a bitch, come take it to the floor now, woo, huh (woo)

There’s a tornado (there’s a tornado) in my city (in my city)
In the basement (in the basement), that shit ain’t pretty (shit ain’t pretty)
Rugged whiskey (rugged whiskey) ’cause we survivin’ (’cause we survivin’)
Off red cup kisses, sweet redemption, passin’ time, yeah.

I realize that, compared to some of the stuff out there, this is pretty “tame,” but it’s not a child-appropriate song (obviously), given that the single is focused mainly on drinking and partying.

There is also an “official visualizer” for the song, which features Beyoncé with no shirt on, wearing little else but underwear, and a metal eye patch in the shape of a silver snake. The video itself is hyper-sexual, and it’s not even the “OFFICIAL” music video.

Like many artists, a seemingly vanilla song is often paired with an uber-sexual music video that sends a very bad and very dangerous message to our kids: the lie that sexual appeal is at the basis of everything we do.

The Bible elevates modesty (1 Timothy 2:9) and humility (1 Peter 3:3-4), and character (Romans 12:2). None of these traits are elevated or highlighted in Beyoncé’s music or her brand.

For that reason, I cannot recommend her song, “Texas Hold Em’” for families to listen to. You’d be much better off choosing another artist to listen to in the car or during a backyard barbecue – and trust me, there are plenty out there to choose from!

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The opinions in this article are specific to its author, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the entire Counter Culture Mom team. This specific article was written by Summer Lane, and may not be reproduced, except to quote for reviews or interviews, without the express permission of the author. 

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Summer Lane is the #1 bestselling author of 30 books, including the hit Collapse Series. She is an experienced journalist and columnist who reports on news within the U.S. and abroad. She is the Associate Editor for Right Side Broadcasting Network. Additionally, she owns Write Revolution News, where she provides a rapid-fire feed of the nation’s most important America First news and events.

Summer is also a mom and wife who enjoys rural country living, herding cats and ducks, and reading fiction. She is passionate about writing on women’s issues, parenting, and politics from a theologically-grounded perspective that points readers to the good news of the gospel.

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